Hey guys

There seems to be may Kajiura fans in this forum (myself counted). Usually, listening to her composition, there is always something that tells us its her work. So what do you think is the technique that Kajiura usually use and what are her special technique that she usually use in her composition?

I believe that this thread would help those who are looking for techniques for their own composition.

Here are the marks of a Kajiura song:

1) A harmonised woman's choir
2) Piano solos with clichéd chord structures
3) A predictable ear-wormlike melody

Thanks Noir7. Can you give example of each of the technique?

By the way, what is "ear-wormlike melody"?

I think he means it like: an ear-worm will obviously crawl into your hear!
The melody probably is predictable and it's obvious where it'll go!

If cliche chord is what Kajiura uses, and I asked this question in other threat also. What are the Cliche chords? where can we find the list of the Cliche chords?

Guys, If you are Fans of Kajiura, this is a chance for you to show how much you know about her work!

I'm not sure but I think cliché chords are like simple and predictable chord progressions with simple Major or Minor chords.

In my world, cliche chords basically mean overused chords. And yes, Kajiura's music tires me after a short while. I used to like her music, but not anymore, it's all too same and boring after listening to 2 of her soundtracks.

It seems Kajiura like working with YUUKa most often than other singer. Is there a reason behind it?

And which one of Kajiura's song do you like most?

I from time to time try to mimic the way she writes for strings but can never seem to get it right? I've noticed her strings are very HEAVY. The double bass and cellos are almost louder than the melody being played by violins 1 and 2. Her melodies may be predictable but very beautiiful. One thing that i think she does overuse expecially in the xenosaga series is Wind chimes. they almost get annoying sometimes.

Which two soundtracks? I'd agree that her music has a certain flavor to it, but I think most of her albums are differentiated enough that they are not boring.

True, she does overuse a lot of chord progressions, but her melodies and arranging is very nice--I like that much of it. ;)

does anyone happen to know where I can find some MIDI files or sheet music from xenosaga 3 so i can study those?

You can visit www.bluelaguna.net, and he's got several of Kaijura's soundtracks uploaded as mp3 files. You'd be pretty hard pressed to find any MIDIs of Xenosaga III since it's so new.

As far as sheet music, you might try www.gamemusic.com or www.animenation.com.

As far as Kaijura's chord progressions go, she does a lot of vi-IV-(ii)-V-I(i)-III(V/vi)-vi. Sometimes the ii isn't there, so I put it in parenthesis. There is also some i-VI-VII-VI in the minor mode. Thankfully, most of her chord structure is in root form--I'm beginning to think she doesn't like inversions. :P